It was inspired by a number of visits made to Mexico by the quartet's violinist and founder, David Harrington, from 1995.[1]
The album was produced by Gustavo Santaolalla, David Harrington, and Judith Sherman, and co-produced by Aníbal Kerpel.[2] It was released on CD by Elektra Records, and was nominated for a 2003 Latin Grammy award for "Best Classical Album" and a 2003 Grammy award for "Best Classical Crossover Album".
The quartet performed the album live during 2002.[1][3]
A number of guest musicians feature, including Carlos Garcia, a one-armed street performer originally from Michoacán, who makes music by blowing on the side of an ivy leaf, whom Harrington chanced upon in 1995 while Garcia was busking at the Zócalo in Mexico City.[1] Harrington later found a CD, Sinfonia Urbana, which included a recording of Garcia, made on a sidewalk, performing the love song "Perfidia". Kronos purchased the rights to reuse it from its Mexican record company, and overdubbed strings.[4][5] They also played live accompaniment to the recording of Garcia in their 2002 concerts.[3] In late 2002, it emerged that Garcia had not received his share of the payment made to the record company for the right to use the recording, and the quartet arranged a collection in his benefit.[4][5] Garcia did not hear the finished recording until December 2002.[4]
The album's opening track, "El Sinaloense", was remixed, separately, by Plankton Man, Murcof (aka "Terrestre") and Bostich, each members of the Nortec Collective.[6] Plankton Man's dance mix was used to close the album. Four versions were issued as an EP: